Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

ASHEVILLE - City Council candidate Vijay Kapoor, the favorite in the Nov. 7 general election after a commanding first-place primary win, has endorsed the other top primary finishers, Sheneika Smith and Vice Mayor Gwen Wisler.

The announcement Friday by Kapoor, a South Asheville neighborhood activist, was downplayed by three other candidates in the six-way race as something that would have little effect or could backfire.

Kapoor a municipal finance consultant campaigning on controlling growth and budget management, said he got to know Wisler and Smith "throughout the time we spent on the campaign, and I really respect their integrity."

Wisler has been responsive on growth issues and has important financial skills while Smith brings a focus on equity and under-served communities, he said.

Kapoor said his campaign staff had "strongly advised" him not to make endorsements.

"But I feel I owe it to voters to say, 'This is where I stand on this.'"

Voters have already begun casting ballots in early voting that runs through Nov. 4. Regular voting happens on election day Nov. 7. They can choose three of six candidates.

The top three vote-getters will take seats in December on the seven-member council.

Williams, a local NAACP officer running under the banner of the local Green Party though the election is nonpartisan, said the endorsement doesn't affect her campaign.

"This ticket was set immediately after the primary and we know how this place works, we knew the 'line' would have to be towed," she said.

Williams said she hoped the endorsements would spur voters to "think even harder about electing 'independent' thinkers." Such council members could avoid problems such the over-budget River Arts District infrastructure overhaul, she said.

Lee, a financial advisor and neighborhood activist, said candidate "slates" don't carry a lot of weight.

"If looks like a coordinated effort by some backroom cabal, then you risk a backlash," he said.

Lee, who is promoting issues including equity and affordability, said he'd rather "keep my independence," and try to appeal to voters based on his own campaign, "quaint as that sometimes sounds."

Asked who else they were supporting Williams said she was backing herself and Lee declined to say.

Roney, an East West Asheville transit activist, piano teacher and bartender, said she and Smith have endorsed each other. Smith rooted loudly for her during the primary and the two have appeared together in a Facebook post promoting their candidacies along with socialist mayoral candidate Martin Ramsey. Smith did not return a morning email seeking comment.

"Asheville's at a critical turning point, and I'm running for the people of Asheville, not against candidates," Roney said, responding to Kapoor's endorsement.

"We need courageous leaders," she said who would address issues such as "affordability, access" and "equity."

After primary results came in Oct. 10, Mayor Esther Manheimer endorsed the top three candidates. The mayor, who is making a re-election bid against Ramsey, said her backing wasn't related to where the candidates finished.

Kapoor said his endorsement wasn't coordinated with Manheimer or other candidates. He said he told Smith and Wisler that he wasn't doing it in exchange for endorsements from them.

In his campaign email, "Who I voted for and why," Kapoor complimented the other three candidates, saying the endorsement "was not an easy choice."

"The other City Council candidates all have unique things to offer. I’ve been impressed with Kim’s dedication to improving transit, Dee’s passion and Rich’s policy analysis."

But Kapoor said Wisler, a former CEO of several companies, had important financial experience and was always responsive when he brought concerns about growth and development issues.

"She was also a very strong advocate behind the scenes." he said.

Wisler's platforms include controlling growth and diversifying an economy "overly dependent on the tourism industry." The vice mayor said Friday she appreciated and valued the endorsement, but said she "won't endorse other candidates this time around."

Kapoor said he and Smith, one of two African-American candidates including Williams, commiserated about balancing time with children and campaigning. He noted her focus on "under-served" communities.

"That's a major issue here in Asheville and I think it's important to have her voice on council."

Kapoor took first place in the primary with a 1,500-vote margin, the biggest by far. He said poll data showed many residents in two South Asheville precincts voted for him and no other candidate. He said he was urging voters not to "single shot" and to use all three council votes.

Along with the council and mayoral race, there is a referendum on the city ballot. It asks voters if they support a state law to divide Asheville into six council districts, with one member from each district elected only by residents of the district. The mayor is to remain elected at-large.